Sgt. Paula Walker: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Sgt. 1st Class Paula M. Walker has been named as the soldier who committed suicide inside the Fort Lee military installation on August 25, according to the Associated Press.

Here’s what we know so far:


1. Walker Fought in Iraq for 15 Months

Paula Walker Iraq

Paula Walker fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Getty)

She worked as a human resources specialist at the base. At the time of the shooting, she was described as “disgruntled.” According to CBS 6, Walker had a 15-month combat tour in Iraq from 2007-08. Fort Lee spokesman Stephen Baker told the station:

Walker’s hometown of record is Yonkers, N.Y. She served on active duty for nearly 14 years after enlisting in September 2000. Prior to Fort Lee, Walker served at Fort Devens, Mass., starting in 2010 and Fort Eustis starting in 2006, among other installations.

Her career included a 15-month combat tour in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2007-2008. Her awards and decorations included three Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, one Joint Meritorious Unit Award and four Army Good Conduct Medals.


2. She Spoke About the 2009 Fort Hood Massacre

In 2009, Walker was asked about her thoughts on Nidal Hasan’s 2009 Fort Hood massacre:

People are people. They go through things in life. They either handle stresses in a good way or in a bad way.

Walker was a native of Yonkers, New York. She was stationed in Fort Lee since December 2011. The gun that Walker used to kill herself was not a service weapon.


3. Walker Was Honored by the Base in 2012

In December 2012, Walker was honored for her organizational skills at the base, according to the Fort Lee Traveler.


4. Fellow Soldiers Tried to Reason With Her

Fort Lee Woman Shooter

(Google Street View)

According to reports, Walker was seen with the weapon, soldiers attempted to reason with her. After a short conversation, Walker turned the gun on herself. She had barricaded herself in an office prior to the shooting.


5. The Base Was in the Process of Celebrating Women in the Military

The shooting happened just a day before the base had been due to celebrate “Women’s Equality Day.” The base honors the women of the armed services.